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As Jessica put it in a recent post, “one million people on your front lawn telling you to go fuck yourself” is the not-so-subtle message that marchers brought to President George Bush this past Sunday.
We really didn’t expect much reaction from the President or his people on the March for Women’s Lives. (at least publicly) To pretend it didn’t happen seemed more of his thang.
Yet, as I’m sure everyone knows by now, presidential advisor Karen Hughes decided to put her two cents in on CNN’s Late Edition with Wolf on Sunday–right around the same time that the march was forming.
She essentially said that the pro-choice marchers that day–and any other reproductive rights advocate–hold the same values as terrorists in their lack of respect and regard for human life.
This is how it went down:BLITZER: There is a clear difference when it comes to abortion rights between the president and his Democratic challenger, John Kerry. In your opinion, Karen, how big of an issue will this abortion rights issue be in this campaign?
HUGHES: Well, Wolf, it’s always an issue. And I frankly think it’s changing somewhat. I think after September 11th the American people are valuing life more and realizing that we need policies to value the dignity and worth of every life.
And President Bush has worked to say, let’s be reasonable, let’s work to value life, let’s try to reduce the number of abortions, let’s increase adoptions.
And I think those are the kind of policies that the American people can support, particularly at a time when we’re facing an enemy, and really the fundamental difference between us and the terror network we fight is that we value every life. It’s the founding conviction of our country, that we’re endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights, the right to life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Unfortunately our enemies in the terror network, as we’re seeing repeatedly in the headlines these days, don’t value any life, not even the innocent and not even their own.
Whaaa? Yes you’re right Karen, we terrorists and feminists go hand in hand! Our names even rhyme a little!
Hughes’ statement has not been without repercussions; Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt and Feminist Majority President Eleanor Smeal have made official statements demanding an apology for the offensive allegation from Hughes, asserting that the comments were not only inappropriate, but also completely heinous.
Several Democratic members of Congress have also written a letter to the President calling for an apology from Hughes.
Hughes responded that the outcry over her comments were “gross distortions” of her remarks in the interview. Whatever you say, darlin!
What I really don’t understand is how the administration can be so blatantly horrid to–once again–manipulate 9/11 for their own interests and personal beliefs. Soon enough, every non-right wing establishment and thought will be labeled as terrorist.
Shortly after 9/11, President Bush said that it is up to everyone to decide who is with us and who is against us. And if you’re not with “us,” you are with the terrorists. Looks like what’s meant by “us” has narrowed just a bit, don’t you think?
Check out Hannah’s 4/28 post for Jon Stewart’s awesome response to all of this nonsense…

Allison Kilkenny and Jamie Kilstein, founders and stars of Citizen Radio, have taken yet another step into the media ecosystem. They have recently released their newest work, #Newsfail, a book that critiques why mainstream media continues to fail citizen consumers. Allison and Jamie’s hilarious work gives example after example about why we should expect more from our media, whether it’s why rape culture apologists shouldn’t be on air or why the LGBT movement should move beyond just securing marriage equality. #Newsfail mixes in high level analysis with every-day humor, once again proving that developing a critical lens can be great fun. Don’t take our word for it; seriously, pick up your copy soon!

If you happen to be in Phoenix, Arizona in early October, and you see many women engineers, programmers, or students talking about their latest creations, you can thank Dr. Telle Whitney, President and CEO of the Anita Borg Institute. Founded in 1987 as a digital community for women in computing, the Anita Borg Institute supports women technologists in over 50 companies. One of its keystone events is the annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing which will be held this year from October 8th to 10th.

If you happen to be in Phoenix, Arizona in early October, and you see many women engineers, programmers, or students talking about their latest creations, you can thank Dr. Telle Whitney, President and CEO of the